Port of South Louisiana

The Port of South Louisiana is the largest volume shipping port in the Western Hemisphere and 9th largest in the world. [http://aapa.files.cms-plus.com/Statistics/WORLD%20PORT%20RANKINGS%202005.xls AAPA World Port Rankings 2005] ] It is the largest bulk cargo port in the world.

It extends 54 miles (87 km) along the Mississippi River between New Orleans, Louisiana and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, centering approximately at LaPlace, Louisiana, which serves as the Port's headquarters location.

This port is critical for grain shipments from the Midwest, handling some 60% of all raw grain exports.

Geography

The ports of New Orleans, South Louisiana, and Baton Rouge cover 172 miles (277 km) on both banks of the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet Canal extends 67 miles (108 km) from New Orleans to the Gulf, and the channel up the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Baton Rouge runs at a 48 foot (14.6 m) draft. Overall, the navigational depths range from 12 feet to 48 feet (3.6 - 14.6 m) along the river, channels, and side canals. The ports allow cargo to move to and from 33 states on the Mississippi River or its tributaries. After Hurricane Katrina, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Coast Survey used boats with sonar and scanners to assess underwater damage to the ports. Port authorities used these surveys to make decisions about when to open or close the ports. [cite news | first=Vanessa | last=Cieslak | coauthors= | title=Ports in Louisiana: New Orleans, South Louisiana, and Baton Rouge | date= | publisher=CRS Report for Congress | url =http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/57872.pdf | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2007-08-22 | language = ]

Exports and Imports

These three ports are significant to the economy of the nation. The ports of South Louisiana, New Orleans, and Baton Rouge rank third, fourth, and fifteenth, respectively in total trade by port to all world ports. In terms of dollar value, total trade by port to all world ports, New Orleans, South Louisiana, and Baton Rouge, rank 12th, 16th, and 27th, respectively. About 6,000 vessels pass through the Port of New Orleans annually. [cite news | first=Vanessa | last=Cieslak | coauthors= | title=Ports in Louisiana: New Orleans, South Louisiana, and Baton Rouge | date= | publisher=CRS Report for Congress | url =http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/57872.pdf | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2007-08-22 | language = ]

According to the North American Export Grain Association, as of August 2005, these three ports serve as a gateway for nearly 55 to 70 percent of all U.S. exported corn, soy, and wheat. Barges carry these grains from the Mississippi River to the ports for storage and export. Imports to these ports include steel, rubber, coffee, fruits, and vegetables.

References

ee also

*Port of New Orleans
*Louisiana Offshore Oil Port
*List of North American ports

External links

* [http://www.portsl.com/ Port of South Louisiana Web Site]